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     Thank you for your email on this topic..

     Descriptions of these very itchy, watery-blister type lesions most
often appearing on buttocks, back, and behind knees and arms (but possibly
appearing elsewhere on the body) were pretty uniform, with some
sufferers having more grayish lesions, and other with red.

     Certain *keywords*were present across entries: diagnosis[dx] by *biopsy*,
seeking *Dermatologists* for dx, use of the medication *Dapsone,* and use of
the *GF diet* to control or reduce the lesions.

     However, these keywords were definitely used in different ways.

     For example: some sufferers were diagnosed by direct biopsy of the
lesion itself, that is, of a blister. Otherwise, an intestinal biopsy told
the story, along with the fretful appearance of surface lesions. There were
some negative skin biopsies despite the lesions, and  some  positive biopsies
followed by treatment, but , unfortunately, there were recurrences.

     By and large, Dermatologists diagnosed these lesions, but not always the
first Dermatologist consulted. It was still suggested that Dermatologists
should be approached with the symptoms, for immunology-based testing.

     After diagnosis, the most frequently used medication was: Dapsone. For
some this meant reduced attacks, for others no more attacks, and for others
Dapsone did not help. For almost all who posted, the Gluten free diet
definitely helped, though not for everyone. One faithful follower of G/F
eating still gets bouts of DH.

     Thus, while there are not uniform outcomes, unfortunately, there are
certainly recurrent themes. The general advice was to take yourself
seriously, seek a knowledgeable Dermatologist who uses an excellent Lab
(eg.a Stanford lab was mentioned), and keep hoping for breakthroughs in
treatment.

      I would add that although only a few emailers and I wrote back and
forth regarding whether or not herpes zoster lesions appeared similar, for
post herpetic neuralgia sites,  I personally have benefited from application
of comfrey/vitamin-e-based topical salves (which are often sold eg. as baby
ointments, in health stores or online).

     Again, thanks for writing. Best wishes, :) LindaMF = LDMF.

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